Roger Federer will face Novak Djokovic in Rome semifinals.

Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic posted straight-set wins Friday to set up a semifinal meeting in the Rome Masters, and three-time champion Rafael Nadal advanced in the other half of the draw.

Nadal cruised past eighth-seeded Fernando Verdasco, 6-3, 6-3, improving to 8-0 against his fellow Spaniard. He will play 12th-seeded Fernando Gonzalez, who struggled past Argentine qualifier Juan Monaco, 2-6, 6-3, 6-4.

Federer overcame net-charging Mischa Zverev, 7-6 (3), 6-2. Djokovic stayed on course to repeat his title in this clay-court warmup for the French Open with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over fifth-seeded Juan Martin del Potro.

Federer has won seven of his 10 previous matches against Djokovic, but the Serb took the last meeting in Florida last month.

PRO FOOTBALL

Vikings draft pick Harvin hospitalized

Minnesota Vikings first-round draft pick Percy Harvin has been hospitalized because of severe dehydration.

According to Coach Brad Childress, the wide receiver was feeling ill Thursday and vomited on a flight from Florida to Atlanta. Instead of continuing to the Twin Cities to take part in the team’s rookie mini-camp this weekend, Harvin was taken to a hospital.

After a rigorous travel schedule around the country in the weeks leading up to the NFL draft and a hard workout Wednesday, Harvin began to feel sick.

Disgruntled defensive end Julius Peppers was the only player missing from the start of the Carolina Panthers’ three-day mini-camp. The stalemate extended for the four-time Pro Bowl selection, who wants to play elsewhere. . . . Wide receiver Anquan Boldin and defensive tackle Darnell Dockett showed up for the Arizona Cardinals’ mini-camp but begged off of workouts because of “injuries.” Both players are upset with their contract status, and both said they had injured hamstrings, Coach Ken Whisenhunt said. . . . Former Texas Tech star quarterback Graham Harrell was invited to the Cleveland Browns’ rookie mini-camp on a three-day tryout. He wasn’t offered a contract, so nothing is guaranteed beyond Sunday.

HOCKEY

U.S. routs France as Russia looms

The United States feasted on the French defense, producing six scorers in a 6-2 victory to begin its second-round campaign at the ice hockey world championship in Switzerland.

The win set the stage for a game against Russia today, with the leadership of Group E and a likely top quarterfinal seeding on the line.

Florida Panthers forward Richard Zednik, whose carotid artery was accidentally sliced by a teammate’s skate blade in February 2008, is leaving the NHL to join Lokomotiv of the Russian league.

MOTOR RACING

Vickers wins pole for Sprint Cup race

Brian Vickers turned a lap at 127.131 mph to win the pole position for tonight’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Richmond (Va.) International Raceway.

Vickers was the 10th car on the track in qualifying, and his speed held up as notable short-track qualifiers Jeff Gordon and Denny Hamlin made runs at him.

Kyle Busch passed Carl Edwards on the first lap of a restart with 22 laps to go and won the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Richmond.

ETC.

Eight kickoff times announced for USC

Kickoff times for eight of USC’s 12 football games have been set, the school announced.

The Trojans’ Sept. 12 game at Ohio State will start at 5 p.m. PDT and will be televised by ESPN.

Other games include: Sept. 19 at Washington, 12:30 p.m. (ABC); Oct. 3 at California, 5 p.m. (ABC); Oct. 17 at Notre Dame, 12:30 p.m. (NBC); Oct. 24 vs. Oregon State, 5 p.m. (ABC, ESPN or ESPN2); Oct. 31 at Oregon, 5 p.m. (ABC, ESPN or ESPN2); Nov. 7 at Arizona State, 5 p.m. (ABC, ESPN or ESPN2); Dec. 5 vs. Arizona, 12:30 p.m. (ABC).

-- Gary Klein

Mexican authorities say armed gunmen have kidnapped the father of former Dodgers utility player Oscar Robles. Robles is an infielder with Mexico City’s Red Devils and Mexico’s national baseball team. He previously played with the Philadelphia Phillies and the Dodgers, who released him in 2007. . . . Hockey Hall of Famer Guy Lafleur has been convicted of giving contradictory evidence at his son’s bail hearing, and could spend time in jail. The verdict was handed down in Montreal. . . . The University of Washington is cutting its men’s and women’s swimming programs. The school said the swimming programs are the sixth-highest expense among its sports programs, and the decision should save about $1.2 million a year. . . . Pepperdine (22-4) plays USC (19-10) tonight in the championship match of the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation men’s volleyball tournament at UC Irvine. The winner advances to the Final Four on May 7 and 9 in Provo, Utah.